Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member of the State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Veteran and Military Affairs, today applauded the United States Postal Service on the official unveiling of the Purple Heart “Forever” stamp.

The Purple Heart postage stamp was first issued in 2003 and the new classification as a “Forever” stamp, means that the Purple Heart postage stamp will continue in circulation and supporters will no longer need to advocate to maintain it each time the price of stamps increases. Since 2003, each time the price of a postage stamp was increased, supporters were required to organize a letter writing effort to ensure that the stamp would continue.

Senator Golden stated, “In the name of all those who have proudly worn the uniform of the United States, and have defended our liberties and freedoms, today we are confident that those who have earned the Purple Heart will be remembered forever. I appreciate the cooperation of the United States Postal Service and their recognition of the importance of this stamp to honor our military heroes.”

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization for combat-wounded veterans, the medal is “the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier.”

Photo #1- Senator Marty Golden is pictured with Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-On Hudson), a 23 year Army combat veteran, who started the campaign to create the Purple Heart Stamp in January 2000, along with a poster portraying the image of the Purple Heart with Ribbon Forever Stamp.